NFL Week 14 Picks

Graphic creds to Bradley W. Stewart

Hello, all. Due to Penn State's Big 10 title win, I was not able to post an NFL Preview article last week. However, we all got are picks in, and they all count. Week 14 is here. Let's get into it. Also, I will talk about the Steelers-Bills game in a seperate preview.
1:00
Close, but no cigar
Broncos (8-4) at Titans (6-6) 

Tennesse has been one of the surprises of this season, as they are in a three-way tie with Houston and Indianapolis for first in the AFC South (for whatever that is worth). I expect the Titans to give Denver all they can handle. However, Denver's defense will make a big play late to preserve a win, and that's the bottom line because Smeltzer said so.
Denver 17, Tennesse 13

The Eagles are a joke, but... Redskins (6-5-1) at Eagles (5-7)

Philly has fallen off a cliff, which is why I expect them to win this game. They are at home, playing against a mediocre and one-dimensional Redskins team. If Fletcher Cox and the Eagles defensive line can get pressure on Kirk Cousins and force some bad passes, Philly will win the football game. If Washington doesn't score a lot, they won't win. That's what the difference will be. 

Eagles 28, Redskins 21

Fins to the left, fins to the right Cardinals (5-6-1) at Dolphins (7-5)

Here we have one of the league's most surprising teams going against perhaps its most disappointing. Miami took a step back in Baltimore last week, but I still trust Ryan Tannehill, DeVante Parker, and the Dolphins offense to get back on track. Miami is very much alive in the AFC Playoff race, and they will play like it on Sunday. However, Arizona will come to play, and they will be just a little better. I just gots a feeling
Cardinals 32, Dolphins 29


"Who the hell cares" part I
Chargers (5-7) at Panthers (4-8) 

Carolina is garbage in every sense of the word. But they are at home against a bad Chargers team, so I guess Cammy Cam can feel good about himself for a few hours.
Panthers 33, Chargers 24

It's Gonna Happen Bengals (4-7-1) at Browns (0-12)

This game is the Browns best chance to get a win, and I just can't see them going 0-16. Can't do it. Go crazy, lands of Cleves.
Browns 24, Bengals 20

Look at the records Bears (3-9) at Lions (8-4) 
Look at the records and tell me who should win this one.
Lions 38, Bears 23

Somehow an important game Texans (6-6) at Colts (6-6) 

There is a good chance that whoever wins this game ends up taking the AFC South crown (again, no saying very much). I think that Indy is starting to figure things out. Andrew Luck is healthy again and playing good football, while Brock Osweiler might well be the worst QB in the game. Luck will pick apart the Texans secondary, and Indy will avenge that woeful Sunday Night loss at Houston in Week 6.
Colts 31, Texans 17

"Who the hell cares?" Part II Vikings (6-6) at Jags (2-10)
Jacksonville is awful. Minnesota has lost six of seven. But other than that, great matchup we have here.

4:05
"Who the hell cares?" Part III
Jets (3-9) at 49ers (1-11)
I want Colin Kaepernick to lose every game he starts, and I  believe Bryce Petty will keep that dream alive. A San Fran victory may frustrate the fanbase, because with the Browns being as bad as they are, a 9er victory would all but destroy their chances of getting the #1 draft pick. So, I say, root for the 49ers to lose along with me.

49ers Something, Jets Something less

4:25
Passing of the torch
Saints (5-7) at Bucs (7-5)

Brees vs. Winston. The established vs. The up-and-comer. On Sunday, I'm taking the young bull. Jameis Winston is the real deal, and he will have a field day with the putrid Saints defense. Drew Brees will play well like he always does, but his team just does not do him justice. Tampa, meanwhile, is on the rise, and they will inch one step closer to an NFC South title.
Bucs 35, Saints 27

Fire Jeff Fisher Falcons (7-5) at Rams (4-8)
Fire. Jeff. Fisher.
Falcons 28, Rams 13

A-Rod is back Seahawks (8-3-1) at Packers (6-6)

Aaron Rodgers is finding his groove, and the Packers are playing in the tundra. That's a dangerous combination for the Earl Thomes-less Seahawks. Seattle may be the best team in the NFC, but it's hard to win at Lambeau Field, and Green Bay will remind us all of that fact on Sunday. However, Seattle is going to prove to be too tough for the putrid Packers defense to handle. Russell Wilson will come to play, and the Seahawks will grind it out for a big victory.
Seahawks 27, Packers 24

8:30
Turn out the lights
Cowboys (11-1) at Giants (6-4) 
The Giants were exposed last Sunday against my Steelers, and the Cowboys cannot lose. That's a dangerous thing. But all good streaks must come to an end, and I feel that the Giants will come to play in their home stadium. Dallas will be fine, but on Sunday night, the fun is over.

Giants 24, Cowboys 21

Will the Patriots lose?
The Dirty Birds are going down. Let's go, Brady!

Lion Pride, Baby

By: Joe Smeltzer

Criticize him all you want, but James Franklin is a champion (Photo creds to indystar.com

Well, after much debate and speculation, we now know the four teams competing for College Footballs biggest prize. Unfortunately, my beloved Penn State Nittany Lions are not one of those teams, and many people are upset about that.

Penn State did have a solid case to be in the College Football Playoff. As we all know, they were the champions of the Big Ten, which was far and away the best conference in America. Penn State also defeated #3 Ohio State, who did make it to the College Football Playoff, head to head, which many people are quick to point out. Another thing that may not be as obvious in Penn State's case, but is equally valid, is their non-conference schedule compared to that of the fourth team that got in; the Washington Huskies.

Penn State's nonconference resume includes a close loss at hated Pitt, and a victory at home against Temple, who finished the regular season at 10-3, while Washington's includes wins over powerhouses Idaho and Portland State. So the argument that Penn State fans have is that the NCAA should not punish their immortal beloved for losing a tough non-conference game when the team that got the #4 spot instead of them played the definition of a "cupcake" non-conference schedule.

Although I am disappointed that Washington got in and Penn State did not, I understand the decision. The Huskies are one of the top football teams in the land, and their only loss was to a USC team that is as hot as any in college football. At the end of the day, Penn State did not take care of business against Pitt and Michigan, and for that, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

The Ohio State case is what is on the minds of most of Nittany Nation. Yes, the Nittany Lions did defeat the Buckeyes by a score of 24-21. Yes, The Nittany Lions won the Big Ten and the Buckeyes did not. However, as much as I dislike the Ohio State and as much as I love my Lions, I understand that Ohio State is one of College Footballs best teams, and I can't say that OSU does not deserve to be competing for the national championship.

Penn State worked their butts off to get to where they are. In my opinion, their exclusion from the College Football Playoff shows how important to it is to play quality football from bell to bell. If the Lions defeated Pitt, they'd be in the college football playoff. But they didn't beat Pitt. They got obliterated by Michigan and got off to a 2-2 start. It's essential to finish hot, but starting hot is pretty damn important as well. Unfourtanly, the Lions only did the former.

Penn State fans have a right to be disappointed about their team not being in the college football playoff. But in my opinion, we Penn State fans should be feeling pretty damn good at the moment.

This team was the best story in college football in 2016. I don't think there is a close second. It is beyond remarkable that a school coming off two straight 7-6 seasons,  started this season at a pedestrian 2-2, was the second youngest team in America, had mimumal stability on the offensive line, and oh yeah, was five years removed from the most damaging college sanctions since SMU's death penalty could come within a gnat's eyelash of playing for birth in the national title game. Regardless of how you feel about Penn State, a fair fan must admire this football team and respect that they played as well as any team not coached by Nick Saban in the second half of the season.

Nonetheless, the naysayers will keep on dismissing. "Well, the Ohio State game was a fluke!" As if to say that Penn State did not beat the Buckeyes and that no team should dare try to block a field goal. "Well, Penn State was the 3rd best team in the Big Ten East!" As if to say that Penn State did not win the Big Ten championship, did not get to the title game fair and square, and that Michigan's slip up at Iowa was irrelevant because "they beat Penn State by 39!"  The system is simple; Team A had two conference losses, Team B had one conference loss, and Team C had one conference loss to Team B. Therefore, it is only fair that team B gets the tiebreaker.

But according to the naysayers, the system sucks, and Penn State did not deserve to be Big Ten champions because Michigan and Ohio State "were just better, man." I don't care if Penn State's win over Ohio State was a fluke or not. It doesn't upset me that much that Michigan demolished the Nittany Lions the way they did. I do, however, care very much about 42-39.

As all Penn State fans know and have been reminded of every day for the past two months, that was the score of that game at Pitt. While Penn State unquestionably had a better year than Pitt did, the Panthers still have the bragging rights. At the end of the day, they defeated Penn State, and worse yet, they kept Penn State out of the college football playoff. It's true. It's damn true.

But while I am still bothered about the Pitt loss, I am comforted by the fact that Pitt went 8-4 and is playing a very average Northwestern team in the prestigious Pinstripe Bowl, while Penn State is playing a hot USC team in the grandaddy of them all. Gee, I wonder what program has it better? Pitt has the bragging rights, sure, but Penn State has the better team, and that is something Nittany Nation can take pride in.

Penn State won 11 games and the Big Ten championship and did so with a team that plays exciting, high scoring football that is a product of the genius of Offensive Coordinator Joe Moorehead. Moorehead is a fruit of the brilliant coaching staff that James Franklin has assembled in Happy Valley. The Lions were the best "second half team" in America, and were never out of a game.

So, my request to Penn State fans everywhere is not to be angry with the Playoff Selection Committee. The Lions had a case to be in the Final Four, but they also lost two early games, and that is what did them in. I ask instead that Nittany Nation is filled with pride. Things look even better for 2017, as the Nittany Lions lose just four starters total on offense and defense. But with the Big Ten being as strong as it is, we don't know when Penn State will be in this position again. So enjoy it, and don't think too much about what could have been, because the reality is pretty damn good for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Which Players Should the Penguins Protect when the Vegas Expansion Draft Comes Along?

   Which Players Should the Penguins Protect when the Vegas Expansion Draft Comes Along?

By: Jeff Stewart

              It was an excellent summer for the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Fresh off their Stanley Cup Championship, there was much to celebrate.   However, just ten days after the Penguins lifted the Stanley Cup; the NHL announced their plans to create an expansion team in Las Vegas. This came along at the worst possible time for the newly crowned Penguins.  Each team can choose to protect either seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie. Or 8 skaters(forwards and defensemen) and one goalie.  This may seem like it will come as a big blow to the young Penguins team which looked like it was built for success in the coming years.  However, it will all be ok Penguins fans!  Let's go through who the Penguins should keep.

            I believe the first choice is the best for the Penguins, seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie.

FORWARDS:
 Guaranteed Protected: 
 Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist 

Those choices were pretty obvious. Now, we only have three openings left and things get a lot more interesting.

Carl Hagelin-  We have yet to pick a left-winger, and he was a part of the dominant HBK line this past postseason. Adding his young age into the mix, he can become a star for Pittsburgh in the coming years.

Nick Bonino- I'd  like to keep all three players from the HBK line.  They are all very explosive and work well together.  If you keep all three Coach Sullivan will have to make one less line.

Conor Sheary-  We only have one left winger, and I don't know how much longer the 37-year-old Chris Kunitz can go.  Sheary played pretty solidly with Sid last year.  He's 24 and has shown glimpses of greatness.

DEFENSEMEN- 
We will be able to keep only three defensemen, so we need to choose wisely!
Guaranteed Protected:
Kris Letang, Oli Matta

There is only one slot left, with six players to choose from this position will leave Jim Rutherford in a pickle.

Ian Cole- I  like Ian Cole more than Daley, Dumoulin, and Pouliot. He is 27 years of age, so he still has lots of hockey left in him.  He played well last year, and I expect him to get better.  I also believe we can get two if not all 3 of the players I chose Cole over in the expansion draft.

GOALIES:
This decision will be the biggest decision for the Penguins before this draft.  Do we keep the 32-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury, who has had lots of experience and success, or do we take the 2nd year goaltender who leads the Penguins to the Stanley Cup, Matt Murray?   The Penguins may be able to keep both because if a player is in his first or second professional years, the player can't be sent to the expansion draft no matter what.  However, there is still confusion as to whether or not the rule refers to 2 NHL years or 2 years playing professional hockey.  I see the rule as two professional years, in which case Murray would not be safe from the draft.  This is a tough decision that even I am still flip-flopping from.

Matt Murray-  If I made a decision right now, I would choose Murray.  He is so young and has a lot of potentials.  I would hope that the Pens would somehow be able to get Fleury in the expansion draft.  I am a little cautious with Murray with his limited experience. Fleury still has solid years left as well.

If the Penguins can keep Fleury and Murray together, I think it will be a great team and the Penguins will be able to rest their goalies comfortably knowing they have another that can do just as well.

                 In conclusion, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in great shape to retain a championship contending team after the expansion draft. Hopefully, we can get more than just the 10 I mentioned. Until then it will be interesting to keep an eye on. Go Pens!

College Football Playoff: Final predictions

By: Joe Smeltzer 
Today is the day. In about an hour, we will know who is in and who is out. So, here is what we think will go down at noon today.

#1: Alabama
Joe/Jeff/Brad/Ryan
No explanation needed. The Tide are a semi-pro team that is playing college football. They have been the most dominant team in America all year, and are clear favorites to win yet another national title.

#2: Clemson (Joe/Jeff) Ohio State (Brad/Ryan)
The Tigers are a lock for the playoffs. They did lose to Pitt, but nonetheless, they have been dominant far more often than not. Clemson is as good as any non-Saban coached team in America, and they deserve this #2 spot.

My cousins Brad and Ryan believe that Ohio State deserves to stay at #2. Yes, the Buckeyes have one of the most impressive resumes in the country, but they did not win their conference, and because of that, I believe they need to drop a few spots if they still are to make the playoff.

#3: Washington (Joe, Brad) Clemson (Ryan) Ohio State (Jeff)
Yes, the Huskies didn't have the toughest schedule in the world. But I feel that they have proven themselves to be a playoff worthy football team. They beat Utah on the road. They dominated a good Washington State team on the road in a rivalry game, and they beat a  good Colorodo team in the PAC 12 title game on Friday. The Huskies came into that PAC 12 title game ranked #4, and I think after that performance, it would be unjust to knock them out of the playoff.

#4: Ohio State (Joe) Clemson (Brad) Washington (Jeff/Ryan)
Regardless of weather or not my Nittany Lions deserve to be in the playoff, I sadly think that Penn State will be left out. Ohio State won a lot of big games, only has 1 loss, and draws a lot of money. Therefore, I don't see the Buckeyes dropping all the way from #2 to #5. I understand that Penn State is the champion of the nations toughest conference. I understand that they beat Ohio State head to head. However, I don't see the committe shutting the Buckeyes out. They have one of the nations sexiest track records, and that is what will get them in.

#5: Penn State
What I said above. I hope to write more about Penn State's situtation in a later post.

#6: Michigan
Michigan is as a good as any team in the country that isn't Alabama. However, they lost to Iowa, and the lost to Ohio State. They did not make the Big 10 title game, and unlike Ohio State, they have as many losses overall as the team that did. So sorry, Michigan. No playoff for you.

Penn State- Wisconsin: 3 Keys to a Big 10 Title

Hello all. In case any of you are wondering, I will not be going into detail about Penn State and the College Football Playoff. I have decided to be like James Franklin and only focus on what is straight ahead, which is the Wisconsin Badgers. Here are 3 things Penn State can do to beat the Badgers and go to the playoff or Rose Bowl

Key #1: Stop the run
The Wisconsin Badgers are not a good passing team. I think the fact that they have juggled between two quarterbacks (Alex Hornibrook and Bart Houston) proves that. However, the Badgers do have a decent running game. Corey Clement is a workhoarse, and he is the leader of the Badgers offense, with 1,140 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. Another thing the Badgers do very well are jet sweeps, as receiver Jazz Peavy is one of the biggest weapons in the Big 10. Dare Ogunbowale and Bradrick Shaw are also weapons that Paul Chryst will use on Saturday night.

Penn State's defensive line has, for the most part, done a solid job at stopping the run, and although I expect the Badgers to get their fair share of yards, I also expect the Nittany Lions to hold their own.

Odds of Execution: Fair

Key #2: Contain T.J. Watt
He'll probably always be the second best player in his family, but T.J., brother of J.J., is a beast in his right. The Junior linebacker is one of the best defensive players in the country, and he can change the game with one play. The Nittany Lions must keep Watt from wrecking the whole damn night, because he is capable of doing just that.

Odds of Exeuction: Solid 

Key #3: Trace McSorley
Just Trace Mcsorley. While many see Saquon Barkley as the most important man in the Penn State offense, nobody has more pressure on them than the quarterback. McSorley has played in some big games, in this his first season as a colligiate starter, but nothing close to what will go down in Indy on Saturday Night.

The two questions that I have about McSorley are;
1. Can he handle the moment?
2. Can he throw the football?
I have no doubts that McSorley can handle the moment, as he is not the type of kid to get rattled. However, I am concerned about the strength of Wisconsin's defense. The Badgers have one of the best units in college football, and it's probably the biggest challange Penn State's offense has faced since the Michigan game.

Although there is reason for doubt, this team knows how to find a way, and I believe Trace McSorley will find a way.

Final Prediction
It will be a tough, low-scoring game, but I believe that Penn State is the more balanced team. The Nittany Lion offense is a machine, and I think if they can score 21 points against this tough Badger defense, they will win the game. I just don't think Wisconsin's offense will be productive enough to get them over the hump, which is so rare to say about a Paul Chryst coached team.

Penn State will win. This is our moment. This is for Nittany Nation. These will be the Big 10 Champs. Get ready to smell to roses (or face Alabama).

Penn State 21, Wisconsin 17.

Steelers Reaction: Quality play, or inferior competition?

By: Joe Smeltzer
There's nothing quite like writing about Pittsburgh Steeler football on a Tuesday. 

Photo creds to lockhaven.com

In case you are not up to date with "the great football team," The Steelers could be starting to turn the corner. After an ugly string of losses that lasted over a month, Pittsburgh won two games in a five- day stretch, defeating the Cleveland Brows and Indianapolis Colts, both on the road, by a combined score of 52-16. While the Steelers certainly warrant credit for doing their jobs well, should we heap that much praise on them? Or, does a lot of it have to do with their poor level of competition?

The Cleveland Browns are the Cleveland Browns. Only this year, they are slightly worse than the average Cleveland Browns are. I need not explain why a 0-12 football team is terrible, so I'll spend a little more time talking about the Indianapolis Colts and their situation.

The Colts are not an awful football team. Coming into Thursday Night's contest, Indy was 5-5. However, the Colts became a terrible football team when their prized quarterback, Andrew Luck, was ruled out for Turkey Day with a concussion. Scott Tolzien started, and the Colts were no better on Thursday than the Browns were on Sunday.

Although it's difficult to decipher how good the Steelers were over the past week, I think it was evident that their defense has improved tremendously. Sunday in Cleveland was a particularly impressive performance, as Pittsburgh posted eight sacks and allowed just 33 yards on the ground.

To me, the biggest reason to be encouraged by the Steelers defense is the youth. Artie Burns, Javon Hargrave, and Sean Davis are three rookies who have been getting significant playing time for Keith Butler. Burns and Hargrave are two players who have shown serious potential. Burns is an athletic corner who seems to be getting better and better as the season goes on. Hargrave is a beast, who can play anywhere he wishes on the defensive line.

Davis has been a little different. There have been times where the rookie from Maryland has played well, but as we saw in the final minute of that terrible Dallas loss, he still has to get better mentally.

The 3rd year defensive end from Notre Dame, Stephon Tuitt, is playing like a beast, lining up everywhere, punishing the quarterback, and earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. While the Steelers defense is not championship material quite yet, with young players like Hargrave, Burns, Tuitt and Bud Dupree, who made his season debut on Sunday, I believe that they are on the right track.

Ironically, the Steelers celebrated offensive attack has been the worst part of their team over the past two games. All I need to say to back up that point is that this offense, which was supposedly the greatest in the history of the league coming into the season, score one- one! Touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. That is a problem, and it needs to be solved. The O has been inconsistent all season, and you never know what you're gonna get on Sunday. The best part of the Steelers offense recently has unquestionably been runningback Le'Veon Bell, and hopefully the rest of the boys can follow Bell's lead and put up 30+ consistenly like Big Ben talked about. 

So, how should Pittsburgh Steelers fans feel about their team right now? In my opinion, they should feel OK. Not great. Not awful. Just fine.

Steelers fans are very demanding, and they have good reasons to be upset about their immortal beloved right now. The Steelers are a 6-5 team that has 9-2 talent. They were a sexy Super Bowl pick coming into the season, and they have been average. That is unacceptable, and Pittsburgh should be better than what they are.

On the flip side; the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to win the AFC North.

That's not as much a compliment to the Steelers as it is an insult to the rest of this god awful division. The Steelers could conceivably go 3-2 the rest of the way and still skate away with a division crown. The only credible threat to the Black and Gold right now is the hated dirty birds. If Pittsburgh can take care of Joe Flacco and the boys at Heinz Field on Christmas Day, then they will for sure be the division champs. Although it would be somewhat misleading given the weakness of the AFC North in 2016, winning a division title is always a goal, and it would be lovely to accomplish this aim.

The Steelers are playing good football. Maybe it's a small sample size, maybe the competition was crap, but they are playing good football, and this is the type of year when playing good enough to get into the playoffs can get you places. There is one elite team in the AFC, and that is the almighty New England Patriots. In my mind, any team can make a run.

You know about the Kansas City Chiefs? The team that's 8-3 and on fire? Well, these Pittsburgh Steelers wrecked that team by a score of 43-14 less than two months ago. Sure, that magnificant performance seems like a long time ago, but it still shows how much damage this team can do.

The Steelers are what they are. They are not a consistently great football team the way they were in 2005, 2008 and even 2010. But when they get hot, they get hot. And the Steelers just might be getting hot at the right time. So, to answer my own question, I believe that the Steelers have been playing good football in addition to their recent opponents being terrible, and the stats, especially on defense, back up that statement. There's a lot of football left to be played, fans, and all we can do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Nfl Week 12 Preview/Predictions part II

We going old school (graphic creds to Brad W. Stewart

By: Joe Smeltzer

This is Part II

Fun cities, lousy football

Rams (4-6) at Saints (4-6)

*Disclaimer* all of our picks for the Bengals-Ravens games are for the Ravens, who were once the Browns. 

I would label this as my "who the hell cares?" game of the week, but that would be too much disrespect towards the great Drew Brees. The Rams are a trainwreck that gets uglier and harder to watch as the weeks go on. Jeff Fisher, bad news may be on the doorstep for you when this season is over. Brad is the only one who believes in Jeff Fisher, as you can see by the graphic above. Sorry, Jeff. Brad can't save your job.

Saints 27, Rams 17

Bring back the Oil

Tennesse (5-6) at Chicago (2-8)

Houston Oilers #1

Yuck. Well, this game is meaningless. But Marcus Mariota is very talented, while the Chicago Bears are very awful. I know it is in Chicago, but the combination of Mariota and DeMarco Murray will be deadly on this Sunday.

T.C. Williams Titans 30, Chicago Bears 14

Ayeeee

Arizona (4-5-1) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4) 

The Cardinals were a good football team in 2015. The Cardinals are not a good football team in 2016. Although the Falcons have been somewhat inconsistent, today will be a day in which the Birds will fly high in Dixie Land. Julio Jones will catch eight passes for 111 yards and reel in 2 TD's, and the Falcons will inch closer to that NFC South title. 

Falcons 35, Cardinals 24

Will the Browns win?

Ha. No. 

Talking Proud 

Jags (2-8) at Bills (5-5) 

I once thought that Jacksonville was a potential sleeper. Alas, I did. But they are what they are. Blake Bortles still has an attractive wife, but he also loses. A lot. Buffalo, on the other hand, talks proud and has LeSean McCoy, who will not be stopped by a little thing like an injured thumb hold him back. Sammy Watkins also makes his return, and frankly, my dear, I just don't give a damn about that. Jeff has the Jags pulling an upset because Buffalo doesn't have "a good offense". Sorry, Jeffery. Jacksonville doesn't have a good franchise

Bills 30, Jags 22

The AFC South is garbish 

San Diego (4-6) at Houston (6-4) 

Does that look out of bounds to you?

The AFC South stinks. While the Texans are, at least in my opinion, a pretty solid football team, I don't think that they are good enough to be considered a lock to win their division. But they are, and San Diego is in the cellar of the competitive AFC West. The Texans have a right to feel a little cheated with the way things went down in Oakland on Monday Night, and they will avenge that loss against another team from Cali that does not have Derek Carr (sorry, Phillip Rivers. The kid runs the state). My cousin Jeff has the Chargers winning because his "gut" tells him so. Well Jeff, your gut is not wise. 

Texans 33, Chargers 22

Who the Hell Cares?

Bengals (3-6-1) at Ravens (5-5) 

The AFC North stinks. Both of these teams are meh. Not that I'm complaining as a Steelers fan, but yuck. This division has fallen on hard times, and so has my interest for both of these teams.

Ravens some points, Bengals less points

Castro is dead!

Castro is dead! Kaepernick is a scrub, and the Dolphins are playing great football. Miami's already great weekend will just continue to get better.

Dolphins 33, 49ers 17

Upset city?

Seattle (7-2-1) at Tampa (5-5)

These Bucs will be no cakewalk for the Legion of Boom. Tampa is a tough football team that is still fighting for supremacy in the NFC South, and they are at home. However, I have a feeling that this is just one of those games where the favorite is on the ropes before the underdog runs out of gas. Seattle will be clinging to a 19-14 lead in the dying seconds, with Jameis Winston leading the Bucs on a potential game-winning drive. Winston will falter, throwing a pick to, guess who? #25 Richard Sherman, in the Endzone, to thwart an upset bid. Believe that.

Seahawks 19, Bucs 14

Will the Patriots lose?

Negative 

AC/DC strikes again
Panthers (4-6) at Raiders (8-2) 

Cam Newton was once thought to be the future of the National Football League. That was yesterday. Derek Carr IS the future of the National Football League. That is today. Carr and Cooper will club Carolina. How's that for alliteration?

Raiders 33, Panthers 27 (always has to be close with Oakland)

The AFC West is pretty good

Chiefs (7-3) at Broncos (7-3)

If this contest were at Arrowhead Stadium, I would see things a little differently. However, it is at Mile High. The Broncos don't have a quarterback, but they do have a world class defense, and life will not be fun for Alex Smith on Sunday Night. It will be close, but I see Denver's pass rush getting to Smith enough to make a big difference. Kansas City will score but 10 points on this night, and Denver will score more than that. My cousin Brad is the only one of us who picks Kansas City. Therefore, he is the only one of us who will be wrong. 

Broncos 17, Chiefs 10. 

Going against logic

Packers (4-6) at Eagles (5-5)

However, I just don't see the Green Bay Packers, who Curley Lambeau built, Vince Lombardi ruled, and Mike Holmgren resurrected before leaving for more money, going down without a fight. Do I believe Green Bay is still in the hunt for the NFC North? No, I don't. But do I see them temporarily stopping the bleeding? Yes.

Packers 20, Eagles 14